“Flame On” as 130+ Texas High School Teams Compete in BBQ Inc.’s Regional Competitions for State Championship and Culinary School Scholarships
The competitive BBQ scene heats up as over 130 high school teams from across Texas gear up for High School BBQ Inc.’s regional competitions, all leading to the highly anticipated State Championship. This year, participants have a shot at winning scholarship awards towards culinary school at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
Magnolia Network’s new six-part docuseries, *BBQ High*, captures the intense world of high school BBQ competitions. Premiering Sunday, August 18, the series follows Texas teens during their senior year as they vie for the state championship and scholarship awards, beginning with qualifying BBQ events in September and culminating in May.
Teams are tasked with preparing dishes in five categories: brisket, ribs, chicken, beans, and dessert. Alongside the competitive aspect, *BBQ High* documents the students’ personal journeys and the significant life choices they face during their final high school year.
Since its inception six years ago, HS BBQ Inc. has evolved from a modest group of students into a popular competitive sport, now featuring over 130 teams. The non-profit organization promotes project-based learning and aims to inspire high school students through BBQ education and competition.
“BBQ Inc. offers a unique extracurricular option for students interested in BBQ. The competitions focus on problem-solving, the science of cooking, time management, and leadership,” said Marcus McMellon, board member and president of Escoffier’s Austin campus. Escoffier has supported the organization from the start.
McMellon added, “We mentor, provide educational instruction, help with competition setup, and sponsor events. We’ve witnessed these students elevate their game with pre-dawn practices, creative recipes, and hands-on skills. The competitions have grown to be as anticipated as ‘Friday Night Lights.’”
While adult mentors can offer advice, they cannot enter the roped-off areas where students prepare their dishes. Teams must manage their time effectively, from selecting proteins to meeting setup and submission deadlines. Judges score each category to determine the winners.
Escoffier sponsors all HS BBQ Inc. competitions leading up to and including the State Championships and awards scholarships to regional and state winners. For more details on the competition, visit High School BBQ, Inc.
About Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
The Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts is the largest culinary school brand in the U.S., offering accredited programs through its Boulder, CO, and Austin, TX campuses. Escoffier’s Boulder campus is unique for offering accredited online diploma and degree programs with hands-on externships. Both campuses have been ranked number one in the U.S. by Chef’s Pencil and are recognized as Great Place to Work-Certified™, Military Friendly®, and Boulder was named a Newsweek Top Online Learning School. Escoffier in Austin provides programs in culinary and pastry arts, while Boulder offers additional programs in plant-based culinary arts, hospitality, holistic nutrition, and food entrepreneurship. For more information on Escoffier’s programs and accreditations, visit Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
BBQ High premieres Sunday, August 18 at 1/12c on Magnolia Network, and will be available same-day on Max and Discovery+.
SOURCE: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts